Spoiler:
German now leads their ATP Head2Head series 2-1
Alexander Zverev is increasingly looking like a major threat to Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam pursuit.
The German won his 15th consecutive match on Monday, defeating Jannik Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(6) to reach the US Open quarter-finals. If Zverev wins one more match and Djokovic wins two, the pair will clash in a blockbuster showdown in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows.
Zverev, who triumphed at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2018 and made his first major final in New York last year, is in the best form of his career. The 24-year-old has tallied his personal-best winning streak by claiming the Tokyo Olympics singles gold medal and lifting the trophy in Cincinnati.
It is not just that Zverev is winning, it is how he is doing it. The fourth seed has lost just three sets during his streak. And against a dangerous foe in 13th seed Sinner, who beat Zverev at Roland Garros last year, he saved five set points in the third set to emerge victorious inside Arthur Ashe Stadium after two hours and 25 minutes.
Zverev is trying to become the second man to win the Olympic gold medal and the US Open title. He would join Andy Murray, who accomplished the feat in 2012.
The German will next play big-serving American Reilly Opelka or in-form South African Lloyd Harris.
In the third round, Zverev raved about the level Jack Sock played in the first set of their clash before eventually retiring due to an upper right leg injury. Sinner is another player capable of blasting through the court.
But Zverev was able to stymie the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals champion's attacks. And whereas he was able to defend well against his younger opponent, Sinner was not able to do the same when the fourth seed took the initiative in rallies.
Zverev actually hit 37 winners to Sinner's 30, in large part because of his 17 aces. But the biggest shot in the match was an unforced error off the Italian's racquet.
At 6/5 in the third-set tie-break, on his fourth set point, Sinner had a short forehand that he would put away 99 times from 100. But on this occasion he missed wide, allowing the Zverev to stay alive in the set. And after the German saved the final set point he faced with an ace, he was able to complete his victory in straight sets.
Alexander Zverev is increasingly looking like a major threat to Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam pursuit.
The German won his 15th consecutive match on Monday, defeating Jannik Sinner 6-4, 6-4, 7-6(6) to reach the US Open quarter-finals. If Zverev wins one more match and Djokovic wins two, the pair will clash in a blockbuster showdown in the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows.
Zverev, who triumphed at the Nitto ATP Finals in 2018 and made his first major final in New York last year, is in the best form of his career. The 24-year-old has tallied his personal-best winning streak by claiming the Tokyo Olympics singles gold medal and lifting the trophy in Cincinnati.
It is not just that Zverev is winning, it is how he is doing it. The fourth seed has lost just three sets during his streak. And against a dangerous foe in 13th seed Sinner, who beat Zverev at Roland Garros last year, he saved five set points in the third set to emerge victorious inside Arthur Ashe Stadium after two hours and 25 minutes.
Zverev is trying to become the second man to win the Olympic gold medal and the US Open title. He would join Andy Murray, who accomplished the feat in 2012.
The German will next play big-serving American Reilly Opelka or in-form South African Lloyd Harris.
In the third round, Zverev raved about the level Jack Sock played in the first set of their clash before eventually retiring due to an upper right leg injury. Sinner is another player capable of blasting through the court.
But Zverev was able to stymie the 2019 Next Gen ATP Finals champion's attacks. And whereas he was able to defend well against his younger opponent, Sinner was not able to do the same when the fourth seed took the initiative in rallies.
Zverev actually hit 37 winners to Sinner's 30, in large part because of his 17 aces. But the biggest shot in the match was an unforced error off the Italian's racquet.
At 6/5 in the third-set tie-break, on his fourth set point, Sinner had a short forehand that he would put away 99 times from 100. But on this occasion he missed wide, allowing the Zverev to stay alive in the set. And after the German saved the final set point he faced with an ace, he was able to complete his victory in straight sets.
6‑4 6‑4 7‑6(7)
76(6) 63 64